Online Services

Our Online Benefits Application

October 4, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

woman relaxing on couch, using laptop Social Security is committed to protecting and securing the information entrusted to us. We’re constantly looking for ways for you to save time by conducting your business anytime, anywhere, using our online services.

Our online benefits application provides a high level of security and protection for the information you provide. Filing online gives you the freedom and convenience to file for various types of benefits including Retirement, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare.

Follow these simple steps to begin:

  1. Review the information on our Retirement/Spouse’s, Disability, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income Benefits page to make sure you meet the requirements to apply for benefits online and have the information you will need to do so.
  2. Create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account. 
  3. File your claim online.
  4. Check the status of your claim by signing in to your personal my Social Security account.

You should be able to complete and submit your application all at once. But if that’s not possible, you can return to your application and continue right where you left off!

After you’ve completed your application, we’ll also give you a confirmation number to check the status, and information on what to do next. If we are not able to process the request, we will provide specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an office appointment.

Applying for benefits online is safer, easier, and more secure than ever!

Learn more by watching our videos on our online retirement, spouse’s, and Medicare benefits application and our online disability benefits application.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. catherine e.

    I turn 69 on Aug 9,2020, When should I apply for soc sec benefits so I receive it after I turn 69 and not before?
    Catherine Anderson

    • A.C.

      Hi, Catherine. Social Security retirement applications can be filed up to 4 months in advance. Filing online is the easiest, most convenient way to file for Social Security benefits. When you are ready to file, visit here. Thanks!

  2. Linda G.

    I have been locked out of my account how do I get back…can not find an answer!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Linda. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  3. Selma T.

    Locked out of my account with only one log in try. No information on who to contact to reset password or get help logging in!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Selma. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. Mark H.

    Is there a Social Security App for iPhones?

    • L.A.

      Hi Mark. At the present we do not have an “app” for either iOS or Android systems. But you may upload our application for Social Security benefits by clicking here. We hope this helps.

  5. Kathleen W.

    I can not apply for benefits on line.
    Electronic access to my personal information has been suspended.
    I have called both local and 800 , 2 times for each today and both numbers have hung up on me after I waited 20 minutes.
    I would like to make an appointment at my local office in Neptune nj to resolve what ever the problem is and apply for my SS benefits, I am 70 years old.
    Thank you, Kathleen Wallace

    • A.C.

      Hi, Kathleen. You can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and a representative will assist you. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Thanks!

  6. Frank W.

    I have now completed my online application form for my Social Security. However, I didn’t see where there was a signature page or how I submit it to you so I can start receiving my Social Security payments. Can you help please!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Frank. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. If you still need assistance, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  7. Thomas O.

    When I try to login to my social security online, I am not getting a security code sent to my cell phone. I get codes from other web sites without a problem on this cell number. How can I log on to get my Social Security statement?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Thomas. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  8. Absolutely I.

    I’m locked out of my account and bad to wait for you to send me a reset code BY MAIL. Now I have a completely USELESS reset code with no place anywhere on the website to enter it. I tried to follow the instructions in the letter but all it says is to go to my account and enter the code. It doesn’t work as a password or an activation code. I continued through the forgot password process and now the website is telling me I have to wait for another piece of mail with the temporary password. This is so extremely incompetent I don’t even have words for it. So after waiting for weeks I’m still locked out of my account with no way to get back in. Meanwhile my application is under review and I have no way to access it. Taxpayer money is funding this website .You really need to hire someone who is competent enough to design a website as well as security measures that actually work. Sending a fake reset code through the mail and then making people wait for another piece of mail for a password isn’t secure, it’s just frustrating.

    • A.C.

      Hi. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can submit feedback about your experience by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form, where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.

  9. Elizabeth G.

    nothing tells me how to enter my re entry number to get back to my application!!
    Thank you

    • A.C.

      Hi, Elizabeth. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. If you still need assistance, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Glen K.

    Where is the Submit button? My application is complete, but it remains is unsubmitted status because there is no way to submit it.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Glen. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. If you still need assistance, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.